LRSG Newsletter June - Limpopo Rhino Security Group

Limpopo
RHINO
SECURITY GROUP
Newsletter April 2015
by anyone with vested interests in either outcome.”
That said, whichever side the CoI picks will have ramifications for
the continued existence of the five million year old critically
endangered pachyderm. It was estimated at the conference more
than 240 have already been poached this year.
RHINO POACHING INFORMATION
Number Of Suspects Arrested From
Jan 2015 – March 2015 In Limpopo Province
Photos supplied by Lorraine Adendorff
Against the backdrop of the most beautiful sunsets nature has to
offer, we as Rhino owners are facing a battle that no one will fully
understand unless they stand in our shoes. Whether to legalise
trade or not – we are all fighting for the same cause – to protect our
animals, farms and families at all cost. To contribute our share
towards the survival of our rhino. We as a group have different
views, and opinions, each in their own right. But we all strive for the
same outcome – to create a safe haven for our animals and to give
them a future where they feel safe and secure without being
butchered or hacked to death by inhumane ways to fulfil someone
else's greed.
"Make Or Break For Rhino”
Extraction from the article published in the Citizen Newspaper
on 30/3/2015
The “Boksburg Decision” will be one of the biggest influences
yet in the war on rhino poaching.
Lorraine Adendorff
Cell : 0834504407
[email protected]
For three days, proponents and opponents of legalising trade in
rhino horn made their case before the Committee of Inquiry (CoI)
last week, established by Minister of Environment Edna Molewa to
investigate its feasibility, or not. In July 2013 Cabinet authorised the
Department of Environmental Affairs (DoE) to “explore the
feasibility of South Africa tabling a proposal for the legalisation of
commercial international trade in rhino horn at the 17th Conference
of Parties (CoP17) of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)”.
The decision makes light of Molewa's statement that “As
government we have not in the past and will not in future be swayed
Held in the town of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, whichever
side the committee – operating under terms of reference set by
Molewa – comes down on there will be howls of outrage, especially
as the protest has arguably been somewhat flawed: A pro-trade
committee top heavy with government officials, committee
members with dubious pasts, organisations with representation on
the committee making submissions, speculative submissions on
where poached horn is going – no-one seems to have a definitive
answer, is it China, or Vietnam, or is Vietnam a blind for China? –
deep suspicion over the motives for the committee in the first place
– what does the South African government really want to do with
the billions of Rands worth of stockpiled rhino horn anyway?- are
all problems the CoI will have to deal with.
With possible charges pending against chair Nana Magomola,
credibility is one of its biggest problems. Even though Molewa has
brushed it off saying she knew about Magomola's issues with the
National Gambling Board after being suspended by Trade and
Industry Minister Rob Davies for breaching public finance rules
and that Magomola was “innocent until proven guilty”, it's
something which will have to be dealt with.
Nonetheless, as South African's do, we go our way while the rest of
the world goes its way.
Three distinct camps emerged over the three days: Private
owners, breeders, and national parks. With ample representation
on the committee, it seems apropos government itself did not
make any representation.
It was left to private owners and breeders – “profit-mongers”
according to activists to punt for pro-trade while activists – the
“loony left” and the “anti-legal trade brigade” as termed by protraders – fought against it.
The arguments were passionate and prolific, and summaries of
most are available on the DoE website. The pro-trade lobby said
private owners and breeders were paying millions in security and
each time a rhino was lost, it cost them half a million rand. Most
donations go to government which also had huge resources to
My heart beats for Rhinos
draw on and farming the three-toed ungulate would promote
numbers while selling the horn – a renewable resource which could
supply a kilogram a year – would fund security, jobs, and
community initiatives.
The idea of paddocks full of dehorned rhino is not one which sits
well. Countering this idea was the “anti-legal trade brigade”, the
strongest argument coming from the SPCA which said farming
would allow for endemic cruelty as government did not have
capacity to enforce legislation, which still had to be put in place as
there was none around wildlife farming.
partners and the criteria to be met by these States; conditions; and
the financial mechanisms);
The socio-economic impact and potential benefits to communities,
farmers, conservation authorities and rhino and elephant
conservation, including the economic opportunities for communities
from wildlife management, and the risks posed by wildlife trafficking
(e.g. infiltration of criminal elements in communities);
implications for other range States, including precautionary
measures; as well as implications for consumer States;
the criticisms or concerns relating to trade and the means to address
these criticisms and concerns;
Engagement strategies for the various role-players involved, with a
special focus on communities; and key messages and information to
be communicated. Department of Environmental Affairs
(shortened)”
Conference. This is a guide that will assist tremendously in
protecting a crime scene until the correct Task Team arrives on the
scene.
APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION FOR BUSINESS
PURPOSES :
Another request from various owners was to apply for accreditation
for their farms in order for a 3rd party to use semi-automatic
weapons/fire arms to protect our farms & animals. After contacting
SA Sport & Hunting Federation who is willing to assist us in any way
they possibly can, since a few of the LRSG owners are members, a
contact person, mr Johan Martin stated that he will assist with the
paperwork and applications. His contact details and all relevant
information as below :
has seen or tried and tested so far.
Read the full article :
http://citizen.co.za/353151/make-or-break-for-rhino/
The document is also available on the following link :
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eb1irg2k2g5g005/AADRlTuD7
xWBLqtFG9w_QzHPa?dl=0
At Safari and Outdoor in Somerset West there is a gentleman
Timothy Horn who worked for a Security Company for many
years, we told him our situation and the diffirent scenarios and he
also suggested a microwave system which in our opinion is an
excellent deterrent. He has extensive knowledge w.r.t security
etc. His contact details: Timothy Horn 0861 11 4330 and his email address is [email protected].
Others said dealing with corruption, catching the kingpins in illegal
trading, and stronger political will were the answers to saving the
species.
TASK TEAM FEEDBACK :
Col Gert Nel
It's not an approach which has worked well thus far.
March 2015 Statistics
The CoI presents its findings to an inter-ministerial committee in
September, which then takes it to Molewa who will present it to
Cabinet.
Terms of Reference of the Committee
To investigate, evaluate, report on and make recommendations
relating to a diverse set of key areas including, but not limited to:
1. An analysis of the current rhino situation and interventions to
address illegal killing of rhino and illegal trade in rhino horn, with a
focus on government initiatives;
2. Identification of new or additional interventions required to
create an enabling environment for the sustainable utilisation of
natural resources and to strengthen the integrated approach of the
government in addressing illegal killing and illegal trade, including
the following:
Increased involvement of communities, including community
ownership of wildlife and benefit-sharing by communities;
If trade was to be an option, the potential models / mechanisms for
trade and criteria / conditions (issues to be considered include:
models – strictly controlled trade, i.e. once-off sale of stockpiles,
government to government trade or more open regulated trade;
sources of specimens and specimens to be traded; the benefits
and risks associated with the different options; possible trade
My heart beats for Rhinos
Suspects arrested - 19
Photos supplied by Lorraine Adendorff
Firearms confiscated - 5
(303, 458, 2x 375 & AK47)
REGISTRATION AND STANDING PERMIT APPLICATION :
CAPTIVE BREEDING OPERATION
All suspects still in custody – NO BAIL!!
During the WRSA Conference & Exhibition held on 13 to 15 March
2015 at Sun City it was mentioned by Isak du Toit, attorney of
Seymore, du Toit & Basson Attorneys of the PROA that it is of the
utmost importance for all Rhino Owners to register for Captive
Breeding Operations. There is a loophole in the law that can be used
to our advantage that a Captive Breeder is allowed to trade!!
The link to application document are as follows:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eb1irg2k2g5g005/AADRlTuD7x
WBLqtFG9w_QzHPa?dl=0
I would also like to request all the rhino owners to join WRSA as well
as PROA. The PROA was established in 2009 as a direct result of
increased poaching incidents on Private Reserves. The chairman is
mr. Pelham Jones. A handy booklet “Rhino Crimes”, - a guide to
crime scene management, investigation and prosecution of rhino
crimes in South Africa as well as a “Checklist” for the Investigations
and Prosecution of Rhino Related Crimes was handed out at the
“A drastic reduction in poaching incidents during March, thanks to
the co-operation of the LRSG and the SAP Task Team.”
“The Task Team definitely contributes to the successes”
quote unquote by Col Gert Nel.
He mentioned that the accreditation application should be for “Anti
Poaching Operations”.
The link to the application document are as follows :
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eb1irg2k2g5g005/AADRlTuD7x
WBLqtFG9w_QzHPa?dl=0
EWCop
Carmela previously mailed everybody the documment w.r.t EWCop.
Mike has read through this document extensively and believes that
this is probably the better route to go of all the other systems that he
My heart beats for Rhinos